How to identify and treat fungal infections in guinea pigs
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What is fungal?
Fungal is a skin infection common in guinea pigs that effects the hair and top layer of skin. Fungal is often confused with mange mite infections, as it also causes hair loss and scratching, however differentiating between the two is essential and treatment is different.
How does it occur?
Fungal flare ups often occur in rainy weather, in summer when the humidity is high or during periods where the weather changes from being hot to rainy. Guinea pigs who are stressed, sick or elderly are also prone to fungal infections.
How can you identify it?
Fungal is easily identified by dry and scaly skin on the ears, nose and feet, with or without a combination of dandruff-like skin on the coat. When pulling loose hairs from a guinea pig with fungal, the dandruff-like skin will be visible at the end of the hairs where they were attached to the skin. Once hair-covered areas are effected, hair loss is imminent and can occur slowly or quickly. Fungal is most commonly found on the nose, ears, paws and backs of guinea pigs.
How do you treat it?
There are several different treatment options for fungal, depending on the severity. If caught in the early stages, a combination of coconut oil and paw paw ointment offers a cheap, effective treatment on ears, nose and feet. Once the fungal is more severe or has spread, a combination of coconut oil and Betadine twice daily is often used successfully to combat the dry skin and itchiness. Bathing guinea pigs twice a week in Malaseb shampoo can also help to combat fungal. Once large portions of the body are effected and the areas are not healing with other treatments or your guinea pig is in pain, treatment from the vet with a prescription cream is necessary. Sterilising the cage and washing material bedding is also important for removing fungal infections.
When should you see a vet?
When the fungal has progressed to the point of scabs, discomfort is obvious and/or at-home treatments are not effective.
Fungal is a skin infection common in guinea pigs that effects the hair and top layer of skin. Fungal is often confused with mange mite infections, as it also causes hair loss and scratching, however differentiating between the two is essential and treatment is different.
How does it occur?
Fungal flare ups often occur in rainy weather, in summer when the humidity is high or during periods where the weather changes from being hot to rainy. Guinea pigs who are stressed, sick or elderly are also prone to fungal infections.
How can you identify it?
Fungal is easily identified by dry and scaly skin on the ears, nose and feet, with or without a combination of dandruff-like skin on the coat. When pulling loose hairs from a guinea pig with fungal, the dandruff-like skin will be visible at the end of the hairs where they were attached to the skin. Once hair-covered areas are effected, hair loss is imminent and can occur slowly or quickly. Fungal is most commonly found on the nose, ears, paws and backs of guinea pigs.
How do you treat it?
There are several different treatment options for fungal, depending on the severity. If caught in the early stages, a combination of coconut oil and paw paw ointment offers a cheap, effective treatment on ears, nose and feet. Once the fungal is more severe or has spread, a combination of coconut oil and Betadine twice daily is often used successfully to combat the dry skin and itchiness. Bathing guinea pigs twice a week in Malaseb shampoo can also help to combat fungal. Once large portions of the body are effected and the areas are not healing with other treatments or your guinea pig is in pain, treatment from the vet with a prescription cream is necessary. Sterilising the cage and washing material bedding is also important for removing fungal infections.
When should you see a vet?
When the fungal has progressed to the point of scabs, discomfort is obvious and/or at-home treatments are not effective.
